How to download and install Pokémon Go for Apple Watch

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Pokémon Go has just been released for Apple Watch, and you can get notifications and collect items without even having to take out your iPhone!

If you don't have Pokémon Go for Apple Watch yet, here's how to download and install it. What are you waiting for?! DO IT NOW!

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Run, don't walk!

How to download the updated Apple Watch app

Hit this link to grab the update, or go through the App Store app.

How to enable Pokémon Go on Apple Watch

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Pokémon Go.
  3. Switch Show App on Apple Watch to On.

Launch the Watch app, tap Pokémon Go, tap the switch to install on Apple Watch

How to get started with Pokémon Go on Apple Watch

Before you can really start using Pokémon Go on Apple Watch you need to give it permission to run in the background, so it can count your activity, and access various HealthKit data, so it can contribute to your workouts.

These should pop up on their own but if they don't:

  1. Launch Settings from your iPhone Home screen.
  2. Tap on Privacy.
  3. Tap on Health.
  4. Tap on Pokemon Go.
  5. Tap the switches to enable each category. Turn them all on. (You should read through them carefully first, of course.)

Launch Settings, tap Privacy, tap Health, tap Pokémon Go, turn on all the settings

You can also do this through the Health app directly, from the Sources tab.

Questions?

Got a question about getting Pokémon Go on your Apple Watch? Sound off in the comments below!

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

4 Comments
  • The Pokemon Go app is not showing under the Health tab :( Nevermind. Had to reinstall the app on my Watch.
  • Do you have to have your phone nearby for the watch app to work? If so, do you have to have the phone app open?
  • Pokemon Go for Apple Watch...Now more mobile than ever :)
  • First time I ran the watch app, everything worked. But now, it is up and recording the time and showing eggs and nearby mon, BUT is is not recording Footsteps or Calories. I have turned on permissions in the health app in privacy and in the watch app. How can I get it working again?